Belgium’s party starter: Mustii is making moves
27 March 2024 at 10:52 CETBelgium were so confident in their selection of Mustii for Eurovision 2024, that they were the first country to announce their artist, choosing him through an internal selection. He's got big shoes to fill after Gustaph reached 7th place for Belgium with Because Of You in 2023. Where Gustaph got the party started, Mustii promises to keep the music going. He’s even got a choir backing track in his performance, made up of Eurovision fans. That’s true United by Music energy.
Mustii might be new to the Eurovision stage, but he’s well-known in Belgium. As if releasing 2 albums wasn’t enough (21st Century Boy and It’s Happening Now if you want to listen), he’s also a popular actor. Under his real name, Thomas Mustin, he’s been in movies, television, and theatre. He’s also a judge on Drag Race Belgium, and found out he was going to be representing his country at Eurovision whilst he was filming the show. Singers, start your engines!
This popstar has already given the Eurovision world a sense of his theatricality with his Before The Party’s Over music video, so fans will be expecting him to serve up drama in his stage performance. Bring on the glitter extravaganza.
Mustii once performed at a ruined 12th Century abbey in Belgium, the Abbayee de Villers, in front of an audience of 5,000 people. He recalls it being “a magical night, something sacred and beautiful” and he says he’ll remember it forever.
This Belgian popstar’s fashion might usually be right on trend, but Mustii has had one particularly memorable outfit disaster. When he was performing at a festival he had to make a quick change between 2 songs, and there just wasn't enough time. He went back on stage half naked, with half an outfit trailing on the floor. But the show must go on! Despite the chaos, he tried to improvise. Don’t be surprised if Mustii avoids costume changes at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Mustii’s biggest Eurovision inspiration is Damiano David, the frontman of Måneskin who won Eurovision for Italy in 2021 with Zitti E Buoni. Ever the drag race judge, he says he admires his "Charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent".
The Belgian star is a big David Bowie fan, who he clearly channels in his costumes and music. Heroes and Jump They Say are right at the top of his playlist of favourite tunes. He also loves other bold performers like Florence & The Machine and Prince, so expect to hear You’ve Got The Love and Sign ‘O’ The Times if Mustii’s in charge of the party. Judging by his Eurovision entry, it sounds like he will be.
Madonna’s Get Together and Hollywood are another 2 of Mustii's favourite songs, and he says that if he had an Aladdin’s lamp, he’d wish to be Madonna for the day. She has been on the Eurovision stage, so maybe Mustii’s wish is coming true…
Mustii told the Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast: “The song is out, I’m now really focused on vocal rehearsals, visual, just day by day. I don’t want to think about later, I’m just focused on the work. There’s a lot of work to do, I have a good team with me.”
The Eurovision party might only just be starting for Mustii, but we’ll all be watching his moves when he gets to Malmö.
There’s more from Mustii on Episode 8 of the Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast.
You can learn more about Mustii from Belgium right here.